Staff have returned to work today at the Christchurch office, and we have begun checking on our high-priority families as well as contacting our community partners. However, most community groups appear closed. We have offered our help to those coordinating the community response to the quake.
Although we plan to be fully open again from next week, staff may be assigned to other priorities in the overall community response in Christchurch.

The Christchurch Father & Child office has taken no substantial damage, and all services have been restored yesterday morning (Friday). The immediate surroundings of the office have suffered no severe damage.
The physical office at 369 Hereford Street will remain closed until Monday 7 March, however staff will start working remotely from Monday 28 February although initially with reduced hours to give us the time we need to look after our families. Phone messages will be checked throughout the week.

The Christchurch Father & Child office will stay closed until at least Monday 28 Feb, depending on whether power will be restored until then and what travel restrictions may still be in place. Drop-in hours will not resume before 7 March at the earliest.
While the quake brought down bookshelves and computer screens, the building and contents seem okay, and it is located outside the CBD cordon. Three of the four Christchurch-based staff were in the office at the time, and all four and their families are (physically) unharmed. We hope the same is true for all our volunteers, friends, supporters and the families we work with. Harald

Our Coordinator in Auckland, Peter Benzie, is resigning from his job, as his other commitments have grown. We’re extremely sad to see him go, and he’ll be a hard act to follow.
The position is advertised and applications close 4 March. Full details here